The European Union of the Deaf (EUD) has published its response to the revised EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities up to 2030, presented by the European Commission in May 2026. The organization welcomes efforts to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities in Europe, but warns that the strategy still does not sufficiently address the specific needs of deaf people.
EUD particularly highlights the importance of new initiatives related to the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for Persons with Disabilities. Among the nine new flagship initiatives of the strategy is the project “European Disability Card and Parking Card in Your (Digital) Wallet”, which aims to further implement these cards and assess remaining barriers to the free movement of persons with disabilities across the EU.
According to EUD, this is an important step forward, as it could contribute to better recognition of support services across EU Member States, including access to sign language interpreters. The organization emphasizes that when deaf people move, study, or work in another EU country, they often lose access to essential support services, which limits their freedom of movement and their equal inclusion in society.
EUD nevertheless regrets that the revised strategy does not include more of its key demands. These include the official recognition of all 29 national sign languages at the EU level, the provision of sign language interpretation for all webcasts and audiovisual content produced by EU institutions, and the portability of social rights and support services across Member States.
The organization welcomes other initiatives included in the strategy, such as the development of assistive technologies and artificial intelligence, more inclusive electoral processes, and improved accessibility in education, employment, and crisis communication. The preparation of guidelines for accessible emergency information is particularly important, as deaf people often face significant communication barriers during crises and emergencies.
Despite these positive aspects, EUD warns that the strategy is primarily based on non-binding recommendations, studies, and the exchange of good practices, without concrete legislative measures or financial commitments. The organization therefore calls on the European Union to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities, including deaf people, through more ambitious and legally binding measures in the years ahead.
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